Apparatus and method for the cooling of ambient air in outdoor spaces

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for the cooling of ambient air in outdoor spaces utilizing a lightweight battery-powered compressor, two twelve volt deep-cycle rechargeable batteries, flexible/foldable solar panels with integrated charge controllers, a lightweight pump for circulating coolant (ethanol), a vortex tube for super-cooling compressed air, a hot air diffuser/exhaust system, a blower to force ambient air across cooling coils and into the space to be cooled, and a cabinet mounted on pneumatic wheels to provide portability.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of air conditioning andmore specifically to an apparatus and method for the cooling of ambientair in outdoor spaces

In many regions across the world children and adults participate inamateur athletic events under extremely hot and humid conditions.Usually, the only relief provided from the heat and humidity is theshade provided by canopies, tents, awnings, dugouts or othersemi-enclosed spaces. These semi-enclosed spaces have no apparatii forproviding any cooling other than the shade provided. Medical tents atsuch events as triathlons and marathons where heat related illnesses aretreated are rarely cooled by any means. Likewise, otherentertainment/leisure activities which take place on patios, decks,courtyards or other semi-enclosed places usually take place without thebenefit of any cooling mechanism. Traditional air-conditioning systemsare designed to cool fully-enclosed spaces by gradually removing the hotair, cooling the air and returning the cooled air to the enclosed space.The efficiency of these systems is largely dependent upon the spacebeing completely and tightly enclosed. These systems also require largeelectrical energy inputs to run their compressor/condenser and blowercomponents.

Traditional air-conditioning systems, because of their large energyrequirements and inefficiency in semi-enclosed spaces have heretoforenot been widely used in semi-enclosed spaces such as canopies, tents,patios, decks and courtyards. Fans are sometimes used in such spaces butmerely circulate ambient air and provide cooling only by acceleratingevaporation of perspiration on the skin; even this effect is limited inhumid environments. Evaporative coolers, like fans, require relativelysmall energy inputs, but, like fans, have limited cooling effect in themany regions that have high humidity levels.

The vortex tube as disclosed by Ranque in U.S. Pat. No. 1,952,281 is adevice which separates the energy of compressed gas into a cold airfraction and a hot air fraction. The vortex tube has had industrialapplications such as providing spot-cooling in small but critical areasof manufacturing processes, as well as providing cooling within computercabinets and for other heat-sensitive componentry. These systems havelargely been tied to readily available compressed gas systems within themanufacturing/industrial context and have, therefore, not been portable.The prior technology has not addressed the use of the cold fractiondischarge of the vortex tube in the context of providing cooling forleisure and recreational activities in semi-enclosed spaces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive andefficient means of cooling outdoor spaces, particularly enclosed andsemi-enclosed spaces such as canopies, tents, patios, decks andcourtyards.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight portabledevice for cooling outdoor spaces that can be transported in a mini-vanor light-duty pick-up truck.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight portabledevice for cooling outdoor spaces, mounted on pneumatic tires, that canbe easily pulled by hand to the site to be cooled.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lightweight portabledevice for cooling outdoor spaces that is powered by re-chargeabledeep-cycle batteries that are re-charged by flexible solar panels thatare attached.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight solarpowered device for cooling outdoor spaces that does not use chemicalsthat are harmful to the environment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight solarpowered device for cooling outdoor spaces that emits no harmful gases orchemicals and produces, as by-products, only hot air and condensate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pollution-free means ofcooling outdoor spaces utilizing portable compressed air and a vortextube.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed an apparatus and method for the cooling of ambient air inoutdoor spaces comprising: a lightweight battery-powered compressor, twotwelve volt deep-cycle rechargeable batteries, flexible/foldable solarpanels with integrated charge controllers, lightweight pump forcirculating coolant (ethanol), a vortex tube for super-coolingcompressed air, a hot air diffuser/exhaust system, a blower to forceambient air across cooling coils and into the space to be cooled, and acabinet mounted on pneumatic wheels to provide portability.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there isdisclosed a process for An apparatus and method for the cooling ofambient air in outdoor spaces comprising the steps of: the use of alightweight battery-powered compressor, two twelve volt deep-cyclerechargeable batteries, flexible/foldable solar panels with integratedcharge controllers, lightweight pump for circulating coolant (ethanol),a vortex tube for super-cooling compressed air, a hot airdiffuser/exhaust system, a blower to force ambient air across coolingcoils and into the space to be cooled, and a cabinet mounted onpneumatic wheels to provide portability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and includeexemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects ofthe invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the vortex tube.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the operations that comprise the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein.It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may beembodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailedsystem, structure or manner.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective-view of an apparatus and method for thecooling of ambient air in outdoor spaces. The power source for thisapparatus is provided by two deep-cycle 12 v batteries 1 a and 1 b. Thebatteries are charged by flexible/foldable solar panels with integratedcharge controllers 29 a and 29 b. These solar panels may be rolled intoa tube-like shape and stored conveniently alongside the cabinet of theapparatus. One battery 1 a provides power exclusively to a compressor 3which pressurizes air in the air reservoir 7 until the pressure reachesa predetermined PSI, whereupon a solenoid valve 5 between the compressor3 and air reservoir 7 shuts off the compressor. The compressor works ona cycle so as to lessen wear and tear on the compressor and increasebattery out-put time. Once pressure reaches a certain predetermined PSIin the air reservoir 7, the solenoid valve 9 opens to allow highpressure jet of air to pass through the vortex tube 11. The vortex tube11 separates the cold/hot fractions of the compressed air and focuses ajet of super-cooled (−40 Farenheit) air onto the coolant reservoir 13.The coolant (ethanol or other suitable liquid) is pumped through thecopper cooling coil 15 by a small pump 17. The pump derives its powerfrom the other 12 v battery 1 b. A centrifugal blower 16 blows ambientair across the cooling coils 15, through the vent 32 and into the spaceto be cooled. The power source for the blower 16 is the battery notexclusively used for the compressor, that is, 1 b. Hot air from the heatfraction of the vortex tube 11 is expelled into the heat diffuser 23 andconducted along the heat transfer tube 25 into the heat sink 27. Theentire cooling cabinet is mounted on wheels with pneumatic tires FIG. 234 for ease of towing by a handle attached to the cabinet. Condensate iscollected in the condensation tray 19 and drained through thecondensation drain 21 and into the heat sink 27.

FIG. 2 is another view of the invention and gives a side perspective ofcomponents hereinabove described.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective of a vortex tube as disclosed by Ranque inU.S. Pat. No. 1,952,281 and previously discussed.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart which describes the operations which comprise themethod.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. An apparatus and method for the cooling of ambient air in outdoor spaces comprising: a lightweight battery-powered compressor; two twelve volt deep-cycle rechargeable batteries; flexible/foldable solar panels with integrated charge controllers; lightweight pump for circulating coolant (ethanol); a vortex tube for super-cooling compressed air; a hot air diffuser/exhaust system; a blower to force ambient air across cooling coils and into the space to be cooled; and a cabinet mounted on pneumatic wheels to provide portability.
 2. A process for an apparatus and method for the cooling of ambient air in outdoor spaces comprising the steps of: a lightweight battery-powered compressor; two twelve volt deep-cycle rechargeable batteries; flexible/foldable solar panels with integrated charge controllers; lightweight pump for circulating coolant (ethanol); a vortex tube for super-cooling compressed air; a hot air diffuser/exhaust system; a blower to force ambient air across cooling coils and into the space to be cooled; and a cabinet mounted on pneumatic wheels to provide portability. 